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London Poker Player Mehmet Hassan's Death Finds Two Guilty of Murder

Mehmet Hassan was found dead a year ago in March in his London home. Three people were arrested and charged with the murder of the London poker player in what appeared to be premeditated burglary. Nicholas Chandler, 29, and Kyrron Jackson, 28, were found guilty of murder on Wednesday, April 15th. Jackson's girlfriend, Leonie Granger, 25, was found guilty of manslaughter.

The trial at the Old Bailey lasted more than a month before the verdict was reached. The BBC reported that Jackson and Chandler were convicted of "robbing Mr. Hassan, two counts of plotting to rob employees of Grosvenor Casinos, two counts of conspiracy to have a shotgun and imitation firearm in January last year, and two counts of conspiracy to falsely imprison."

Granger admitted that she was part of the plan to rob Hassan and her role was to lure him to his apartment after they left a casino. According to court records Hassan was last seen on the evening of March 23rd at Nobu Restaurant having dinner with Granger after Hassan won £3,000 playing poker at the Palm Beach Casino Club.

A cab arrived for Granger at Hassan's apartment about a half hour after their arrival. Then Granger used Hassan's phone to converse with one of her conspirators according to the prosecutor's argument. The cabdriver overheard Granger say: "Swear down. I don't believe it. Don't tell me the money's not there. I saw it. Look in the drawer. Look under the cabinet."

The horrific tale of theft and murder proceeded to Jackson and Chandler binding Hassan with parcel tape and a necktie as they "kicked and stomped" him until he died. The suspects then used their mobile phones to record themselves at a secondary location throwing "£50 notes around and stuffing wads in underpants," before they proceeded to search and ransack Hassan's home in Islington for more cash.

"The truth, sadly, is that Miss Granger was not interested in Mehmet Hassan for anything other than his money," said Prosecutor Crispin Aylett QC. "And that is how Mehmet Hassan came to be tied up and kicked to death in his own flat."

"We have endured immense pain and despair from the moment that we discovered Mehmet had been brutally murdered. This will continue to haunt us," said Hassan's nephew, Hassan Gunay. "Although nothing will ever replace Mehmet this just verdict provides an element of closure and relief."

Long-time friend of Hassan Andrew "Giddy" Perendes told PokerNews.com: "First and foremost, I'm delighted with the verdict and elated for the family during the ordeal of the trail for what they suffered and the verdict is justice for all concerned with Mehmet, my dearest companion."